Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. (Isaiah 58:6-9a)

GOD calls His people throughout every age to be obedient to His Word, not to gain favor or somehow earn Heaven for we cannot do that, but that He might be glorified in us and through us. Our spiritual disciplines should be for Him, and not for ourselves or our vainglory. GOD here told the Israelites that their fasts which they made such a show of, were not pleasing to Him and were not commanded or desired, because they sought to glorify themselves instead of glorifying GOD. He said He must be worshipped in spirit and in truth and anything else is sIn.

But when His people do what is pleasing to Him and for Him in obedience to His Word, He is glorified and He will bless it. Too often, we who are in the Church do what we want and somehow expect GOD to bless it, because we think we are doing it for Him, when we are really doing it in the flesh and for ourselves. We are then no better than these 'religious' Jews who did their own thing, and claimed it was for GOD. He despised it then, and He hasn't changed.

And He will not change, for He is eternal and will forgive those that surrender to Him on His terms, He is also just, and if you die without Christ and still in your sins He has already pronounced you guilty before Him. He is righteous and Holy and cannot allow sIn to go unpunished, but He provided Himself in your place when He went willingly to the Cross of Calvary. If you repent and place your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation, Jesus will save you. He is not willing that any should perish and wants you to come to the knowledge of the truth. He tells us that we must be born again, and He will welcome those that truly believe His Word into a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting.

I pray that whatever GOD is speaking to you about today, you will respond and glorify Him.

In Christ,Jefferson Sweet

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